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jogging

Spring has officially sprung on the calendar and also on the Vancouver coastal running paths. With a glimmer of sunshine today the optimistic heat worshipers of Vancouver emerged from their rainy cocoons and embraced the beautiful walkways and waterfront our city has to offer. It felt like I was watching a scene from the Lion King where Simba is triumphantly displayed and announced to the animal citizens of the Sahara as the new royal baby. As my feet carried my through Jericho beach along the seawall to the more popular kits beach I passed multiple couples having engagement photo’s taken, pregnant mothers having their growing bellies photographed, new dads fumbling with how to tuck their kids into their strollers, and puppies galore. It was like everyone was out to debut their new baby or puppy and show them off to the rest of the walkers along the commonly used strolls. I think I fell in love 7 times today with various little fluffy puppies trying to eat their leashes.

Although it all felt a bit cliché out and about today, the cherry blossoms, puppies, babies, kids learning to ride two wheel bikes for the first time (and crashing and crying .. which I have to admit always makes me giggle as I have very personal memories of myself and my sisters struggling to ride a two wheeler and I think my parents wanting to kill us in the process) I must say Vancouver sure is purdy. And happy! We’re notorious for being no fun, no smiles and definitely not a city where strangers say hi to each other. While normally I would have to agree with this stereotype our city has, today was different today there was a sense of happy and joy and community. Strangers talking and people saying hi, runners giving each other the “hi” hand up as we passed each other. Maybe Vancouverites are normally so “unfriendly” because we are too focused on not getting stabbed in the eye from a passerby’s umbrella while avoiding the over the Hunter rainboot deep mud puddle blocking our path that we forgot to give a quick wave or hi to the people amongst us. Maybe if we lived in a climate the encouraged light jackets and sunglasses we would be a friendlier bunch.

What can I say, these past few September days in Van have been a runner’s paradise. As a “fair-weather” athlete the days and weeks following Labour Day signals the end of the regularly dry summer outdoor activity season and evenings of long light. These are instead replaced by darkness both before and after work hours and looking out at a wet window during time spent in the office. None too appealing or motivating for those of us who prefer to spend time dry and out of the rain. As I’ve previously mentioned, after spending years playing soccer in all types of weather (rain, showers, sleet, and snow) I now prefer to only go and exercise in the rain when I really feel up to it, otherwise I creatively hide out in my boxing gym, playing ball hockey or in the weight room gym.

This past week has been different from the usual Vancouver September though. It’s as though summer is taking a stand and this year saying “No I will not be banished by shorter day and longer nights, I will stay and keep you warm now go enjoy my warmth!” So I have just had to listen! Monday I ran into more friends on my short little run then I had seen out running all summer. The best part was that they were friends who don’t even run (usually at least). There were people jogging along the beach with jean shorts and a tank top, people with dogs and even some guys who were using jogging as a pick up tactic to try to meet us girls who like to run.

Note to these men: If you can’t even keep up our jogging pace, we are not interested and don’t particularly want to slow down to talk to you. Headphones in + alone = universal symbol for not interested in talking because we are choosing to be alone.

Last night my old roomie and avid runner herself was staying with me and after I somewhat lured her into a sunset bridge run she dragged me up the hill to do some hill sprints. Hill sprints are definitely my nemesis, while for her (an ex rower and power athlete) they are her bread and butter. I’ve got say, as much as I hate doing them I feel very accomplished after.

Tomorrow another run with another Di! The double Di’s are starting to run together once a week and I can’t wait!

I’ve taken to hunting down the sunsets and recently realized that I should be taking pictures so here are a few of my faves from the recent days.